The contrast between The Two Red Shoes and The Ballerina Ballroom in Nairn is quite shocking. Only two big-name bands played Elgin in 1967 whereas at least 10 played Nairn. Why Bonici’s ballroom in the smaller of the two towns should have proved more successful at this period is a mystery.
What is clear however, is that the Elgin venue had become boring and outdated. There was little change in the resident band although Bonici did have several bands circulating around his other dance halls. No matter how popular The Jimmy Martin Band was, it was crazy to have them play almost every night the venue was open. It seems the glory days were really over for The Two Red Shoes despite Pink Floyd playing on July 19th. I’m assuming their appearance was once again down to the relationship built up with Brian Epstein. It’s possible that Albert was contracually obliged to take them for a set number of dates.
Regular dancing every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday to the Jimmy Martin resident band
January 18, 20, 21 – Julie Grant will be appearing as guest vocalist
Wednesdays – Over 25’s Night 9.30 – 11.45 p.m.
Fridays – Late Night 9.30 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Saturdays – Palais Night 9 – 11.45 p.m.
February 8, 10, 11 – Miss Donna Douglas with Jimmy Martin Dance Band
February 14 – Valentine Dance with The Web from Manchester
March 01 – Dale Adriatico. All the way from the Phillipines. The most up and coming new vocalist with a voice like Sinatra
March 22 – Miss Jackie Day as guest vocalist
March 24 – Miss Jackie Day as guest vocalist
April 19, 21, 22 – Sheena Duff as guest vocalist
May 10, 12, 13 – Jackie Rogers as guest vocalist
May 30 – M.D.E. Queen Heat Two with Haddock’s Rockhouse plus The T-Set
June 27 – They’re back: Scotland’s top group after yet another action-packed German Tour. The scene is set for the fabulous Copycats plus The Dollies and The Mixture
July 12, 14, 15 – Donna Douglas as guest vocalist
July 20 – Pink Floyd plus The Copycats. I’ve been told that only 12 people attended this concert. The advert above is typical of Albert Bonici‘s over the top promotion skills. It turns out that the way-out lighting was provided by Graham Nairn who took charge of the Two Red Shoes Light(s) and tried to add some atmosphere to the event!
To give you a taste of what Pink Floyd were like and what their way-out light show should have been like, here they are at the legendary UFO CLub in London from March of this year. The footage is from a German documentary film called Die Jungen Nachtwandler (The Young Nightcrawler), about the British musical scene in the sixties. The director Edmund Wolf also appears on the clip for a short comment. It’s fascinating as it shows how the audience reacted to the music as well as what it was like in a club at this time.
August 03 – Paul And Barry Ryan (seen above with “Have Pity On The Boy”) plus The Copycats
August 29 – Mama’s Little Children
September 05 – The Freddie Mack Show
September 06, 08, 09 – Sheena Duff
The advert above is from the Northern Scot and the listing below is from the Elgin Courant. Why neither contains the others date(s) is anyone’s guess.
September 27, 29, 30 – Judy Cannon presents her own brand of music. Dancing to the music of The Jimmy Martin Band
November 04 – The Jimmy Martin Band with Kathleen Ogg
November 08, 10, 11 – By special request! The return of the irrepressible and vivacious Judy Cannon
November 17 – The Modelles
November 18 – Dancing for all with The Jimmy Martin Band
November 21 – Freddie Mack And His Road Show (all sixteen pieces of it)
November 28 – It’s the new Cash Boutique Queen. Heat 2. Win a fabulous nylon fur coat!
December 06, 08, 09 – Entertainment at its best with the scintillating and vivacious Sheena Duff
Come dancing every Wednesday – Over 25’s Night, Friday – Late Night, Saturday – Palais Night with The Jimmy Martin Band
December 24 – It’s the Midnight Special with Circle. Prizes! hats! Novelties! Streamers! Under the direction of top dee-jay Keith Taylor
December 25 – SJPA present The Jim Martin Band
December 27 – Young Liberals’ Association present The Jim Martin Band
December 29 – Jim Martin Band
December 30 – Jim Martin Band
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Two Red Shoes Ballroom, Elgin 
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